The Southern Costa Rica Handbook

Rating:
Summary: A "Must-Have" Book for Anyone Interested in Costa Rica
Review: Alexander del Sol's most recent Costa Rica Handbook is an excellent resource for those traveling in Costa Rica or planning a trip. He navigates various cities and provides invaluable insights as to what to see, where to stay, and how to get the most out of your experience. I have traveled Southern Costa Rica and this book was a fantastic (and necessary) guide to making the most of the experience. It has something for everyone, is easy to read and is well researched and current.

Rating:
Summary: Must have for this area of Costa Rica
Review: Having traveled in the Southern Pacific Area of Costa Rica and purchased land in Uvita, this book is ABSOLUTELY essential for exploring this area.

Alexander lists great small lodges, restaurants, natural sites and internet cafes. The internet cafes are a must if you want to stay in touch with people in the US or other parts of the world. Using the phone system in Costa Rica can be challenging and expensive.

Pura Vida!

Rating:
Summary: Reads like an advertorial
Review: I was disappointed with this book -- it read as if the writer had paid sponsorships from the places he reviewed. Plus, despite its promise of including hikes, hikes were barely mentioned, but plenty of advertising was provided for local tour companies. The book isn't a complete waste of time, but if you're looking for a guide that spends time discussing the area in depth and doesn't just review the local businesses, don't buy this one.

Rating:
Summary: A must read if you are traveling to Southern Costa Rica
Review: If you are traveling to the Southern Zone of Costa Rica and looking to get the inside scoop, I highly recommned this handbook. I read all of the major Costa Rica handbooks, but none of those books provided the detail and insights found in this handbook.

Rating:
Summary: A must read if you are traveling to Southern Costa Rica
Review: Prior to departure, I sat on the floor of my local bookstore sifting through no less than 17 books on Costa Rica. An hour and a half-- and one headache-- later, I finally narrowed my choices down to what I like to call "the big four"--those familiar-named guidebooks that everyone would be carrying. It was not until I was already traveling in Costa Rica that I discovered Alexander del Sol's Southern Costa Rica Handbook and realized that I had finally arrived.

After two dizzying weeks of trying to decipher the nondescript differences between various hotels, restaurants and tourist traps as reviewed by the big four, what a joy it was to finally read about a destination in such detail and clarity that you could actually picture where it was you were headed. Mr. del Sol has done a terrific job of culling out the junk for you, and then describing his choices in such a manner that you can joyfully plan your trip with confidence.

As one of his previous reviewers commented, I only wish he would write a guide book for the rest of Costa Rica--and the world, for that matter!

Rating:
Summary: Know Before You Go!
Review: Prior to departure, I sat on the floor of my local bookstore sifting through no less than 17 books on Costa Rica. An hour and a half-- and one headache-- later, I finally narrowed my choices down to what I like to call "the big four"--those familiar-named guidebooks that everyone would be carrying. It was not until I was already traveling in Costa Rica that I discovered Alexander del Sol's Southern Costa Rica Handbook and realized that I had finally arrived.

After two dizzying weeks of trying to decipher the nondescript differences between various hotels, restaurants and tourist traps as reviewed by the big four, what a joy it was to finally read about a destination in such detail and clarity that you could actually picture where it was you were headed. Mr. del Sol has done a terrific job of culling out the junk for you, and then describing his choices in such a manner that you can joyfully plan your trip with confidence.

As one of his previous reviewers commented, I only wish he would write a guide book for the rest of Costa Rica--and the world, for that matter!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent guide for places to stay, eat, tours, etc.
Review: The Southern Costa Rica Handbook is an excellent tourist handbook. The way you describe the places to stay gives choices to where to go and other businesses are included of interest. The described choices are not offered in regular tourist guide books. The first eight pages gave interesting information to know how to use the handbook. The information you've written is precise, detailed and understandable. The write up about each town and what each town has to offer to the tourist is concise and detailed. The maps are extremely helpful and definitely make it easy to find the places a person is looking for. The section of Some Tico Spanish gives much local lingo, great. The handbook is first class information and first class writing.

Rating:
Summary: Need help on your Southern Costa Rica journey...
Review: What a tremendously detailed book of all the Hotels, place to eat and visit in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica! The book was a great help while weeding through the vast array of choices to choose from. We looked at several books prior to our excursion, but found that there was something missing for this beautiful part of the country. Southern Costa Rica Handbook provided us exactly the descriptive information to make our trip more fulfilling, while educating us on "local knowledge" of the area. A must read prior to any journey to this area!